Voice of the People, Mar. 10

March 11, 2013

Catholic comparisons

I have a hard time reconciling the opulence of the papal exit and the fact that some Catholic schools in Chicago have to close. In the hardest-pressed neighborhoods where just getting to school deserves its own grade, children may be left behind academically, or forced to choose from public schools —themselves on a short list for closing.

God knows there is not enough money to go around, but in contrast to the case of such largess in Rome, the fate of Chicago's children is also at stake. I, living in neighborhoods where church steeples represented sanctuaries of a sort growing up, worry about their futures. Today I see the pangs of aging religious orders, their devoted clerics, and concerns if the churches and schools can any longer afford themselves.

Having never witnessed such an historic papal retirement before, I was overwhelmed by its tradition and trappings. Yet in Chicago, children may have to share a coat on their way to school, or prized students may soon be shuttled off to different schools as friendships are severed.

Closing schools should be the last option of the Catholic Church. God loves his children as much as papal pomp, I am sure. Let's secure their futures as we embrace Catholicism, not for its excesses but for its sacrifices, in their name.

Send Cardinal Francis George back with a mandate and a check for Chicago's Catholic believers.

— Vincent Kamin, Chicago

The Catholic Church

I have a little advice for my fellow Catholics: Relax. Rejoice. Be anxious for nothing.

Actually, that's advice from the New Testament.

Yes, the media vultures are circling again, looking for clergy scandals. But even though we all sin, Christ said that his Church would be infallible.

And certainty, the unmatched longevity and truthfulness of the Catholic Church is proof that it enjoys the guidance and protection of its founder.

— Joseph Carducci, Pittsburgh, Pa.

Food deserts

Quick, how far do you have to travel before you get to your nearest grocery store? What measure of distance did you come up with? A block? A mile? For thousands of Chicagoans living in food deserts, communities with limited access to healthy food options, the answer is about two to three miles.

Chicago is ranked second in the nation for total number of food deserts in a city. This phenomenon affects about 600,000 residents, with the West and South sides of the city being predominately affected. The consequences of living in a food desert include several diet-related illnesses, such as hypertension, obesity, heart disease and diabetes.

Chicago's own U.S. Rep. Bobby Rush, along with the U.S. House Committee on Agriculture, introduced the Food Desert Oasis Act in 2009, a federal program targeted to improve low-income accessibility to nutritious food.

The bill aims to offer designated businesses in food deserts tax benefits, such as increased tax credits for becoming food desert rehabilitation sites. The measure targets several affected cities for its pilot, including Chicago. Unfortunately, the Food Desert Oasis Act has yet to be passed.

This clearly needs to be rectified. The passage of this act would benefit thousands of Chicago residents living in food deserts. It would provide the necessary access to fresh fruits and vegetables. I am encouraging all readers to get the word out, take action, and contact your local, state and national legislators about this issue and the passing of this act. Let's bring an oasis to our food deserts!

— Titilope Akinlose, Chicago

Bloomberg's candidate

It is very strange that the mayor of New York would contribute more than $2 million for the campaign of an obscure candidate for Congress.

I doubt very much that he had heard of Robin Kelly prior to several weeks ago. And why is he interested in a congressional seat in Illinois? He is the mayor of New York City, and I am sure he could invest that sum of money in local campaigns where his constituents may have benefited.

Unless of course he was acting on behalf of a former Chicagoan who has been elected to the presidency and is very visibly attempting to shape the House of Representatives to his political persuasion.

— John Culloton, Chicago

Root of violence

Commentators attribute the epidemic of murders in Chicago to gun violence. Wrong. Most of these killings result from gang violence.

There are many towns and cities in the country with less strict gun laws, but without the widespread violence. Chicago's deep socio-economic problems will not be solved by stricter gun laws.